CHAPTER VI 

 THE MALE FERN AND ITS RELATIVES 



APART from the Bracken Fern which, as 

 we have seen, is abundant almost every- 

 where, there are few ferns more common than 

 certain of the leading members of the sub- 

 order Aspidieae. The British representatives 

 of this sub-order include the important genus 

 Nephrodium, of which the Male Fern is the 

 leading example. In addition we have the 

 Shield Ferns (Aspidium), and also some 

 interesting species gathered together under the 

 genera Woodsia and Cystopteris. 



Nephrodium Filix-mas. The generic name is 

 derived from the Greek nephros, " a kidney," 

 this having reference to the kidney-shaped 

 indusia which is typical of the genus ; Filix- 

 mas, of course, is a name formed of two Latin 

 words, filix, " a fern." and mas, " a male." 

 In some books the species is called Lastrea 

 Filix-mas, and Aspidium Filix-mas. The 

 Male Fern. 



One is almost tempted to follow the example 

 of the early writers of botanical works and 

 to say that the plant is so well known that 

 " it needeth no description." However, such 

 a fine Fern, common though it be, is certainly 

 as worthy of a notice as any species within 

 the covers of this book. A very characteristic 



